Airbrush

Quick Tips for the Airbrusher

Thinning Artist Acrylic Colors – Most airbrush artists who work on canvas prefer artist acrylic colors.  These dry quickly and are low in toxicity and easy to clean from the airbrush.  One of the challenges of working with acrylics is reducing them to a consistency that is sprayable—equivalent to that of heavy cream. 

Acrylics are available in several forms:  tube color, which is normally pretty thick; jar color, which is of a creamier and more flowable consistency; and extremely thin acrylics that depending on the manufacturer are sometimes designed specifically for airbrush work.  In all these various consistencies, acrylic paints still must be further manipulated to spray with reliability. 

Not only are the three forms of differing thicknesses, but different colors are, too.  For example, white paint is usually quite thick, whereas yellow can be very thin.  To manipulate acrylic colors to your particular preference, it is recommended that you use a thinning solution made from combining acrylic gloss medium and water in a 50/50 mixture.  Pour these into a jar, shake thoroughly and then add this mixture to the acrylics.  Note that when thinned acrylics are stored, they may tend to separate, so be sure to shake them well prior to spraying.

Liquid Masking Material – This is also known as liquid frisket and is used in airbrush technique as well as watercolor technique to block areas where paint is not desired.  In most cases you are retaining the white of the paper for highlights such as on an eye or a droplet of water.  This material is similar in consistency and appearance to rubber cement and is usually applied with a paint brush or a liquid frisket applicator.  It is left to dry before painting over.  Once the rendering is complete, you remove the dried frisket by rubbing with a finger or using a rubber cement removal pad.  The bright white paper shows through to produce the highlight. 

If you apply liquid frisket with a paint brush, use an old one.  It can be removed with soap and water—quickly before it dries in the brush. Otherwise, it is virtually impossible to remove.  Depending upon the manufacturer, liquid frisket is available in different colors for ease of identification on the work surface.

Learn to Airbrush!

A Basic Airbrush Techniques workshop with Robert Paschal will be held this fall in Milwaukee, WI.  Choose either Saturday, Nov. 8, or Sunday, Nov. 9 to learn the fundamentals of airbrushing in this six-hour, hands-on class.  The use of all equipment/supplies is included in tuition.  Visit www.arttalk.com/workshop/workshop.htm or call 845.831.1043.

Copyright ARTtalk Vol. 18 No. 11 — September 2008